Help! My Son is a Terrible Sleeper

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My son is 23 months old. And he’s a terrible sleeper.

In an attempt to survive, we’ve created some sleep associations that are less than ideal. I get that, and will probably get that feedback after publishing this post. But I also feel we’ve tried it all. And nothing works.

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Before my son was born, I read all the books. I had all the knowledge. And then I learned something. Even expert opinions don’t seem to apply to our child. Only one book gave us a glimpse into the truth. A little diddy called Go the {Heck} to Sleep.  You may be familiar. It’s sorta our household mantra.

When my son was born, he didn’t sleep. But what newborn does, right? However, our son was a little different. He was even awake for his newborn photos. The photographer asked us to do a number of things so he’d be sleepy and ready for pictures. But despite following all her recommendations, our baby boy was wide eyed and alert the entire time, trying to figure out what all was going on.

Today was typical.

I had a 40 minute break while my son slept on top of me. I stress over whether I should sneak away, play on my phone in an awkward position, or try to take a nap. I never seem to choose the right option.

Earlier this week my son fell asleep on me. Fifteen minutes in I HAD to go to the bathroom. I wiggled free, but my shirt got stuck. I gave it one swift tug and nap time was over. Baby boy was up.

But naps aren’t the only issue. He doesn’t sleep well at night either.

My mother in law tells me my husband was a terrible sleeper too. He didn’t sleep through the night for the first year, and when he finally did, my in laws worried my husband died!

It’s been similar with our son. He HATES sleep. Which is especially unfortunate for me, because I love it. And get very little.

And now, here I sit, 23 months in, mostly having given up completely, but also keeping a sliver of hope that someday soon things will get better.

Is your child an amazing sleeper? Share your experience with me below! Or maybe don’t… it might be too depressing. Ha!

4 COMMENTS

  1. I feel ya! My son didn’t sleep through the night for a year. When he turned one, the pediatrician said to take him off the bottle and give him some milk and a small snack before bed. That helped some but he still woke up at least twice a night. The first time he slept all night was the first time I used a diffuser and lavender essential oil. That worked for a while. But after time we were back to waking. I also had some success with chamomile tea. Brew it weak and add to milk. That worked for a while too. It must be an inherited thing because my husband would get up in the night as a child. He would wander around the house, so in the morning his parents would have to hunt for him to see where he finally laid back down 🙂 Now, my son is down to one waking a night and that is for a pee break. He is potty trained. So, I will take a 15 minute interuption in the night in exchange for no more diapers! Believe me, at one point I was so sleep deprived I thought I was going insane. But I promise, it will get better!

    • Aww! Thank you for the encouragement!! ?? That is so funny your husband wandered the house!! ? (Funny in retrospect and that it happens to them… I would be terrified!!) ?

  2. Aubri was an incredible sleeper (we followed babywise) and have done the same if not stricter for Tate and he’s been the opposite.. nights were finally better and then a growth spurt or regression. It’s insane how each baby is so very different no matter what you do! I hope you get some sleep soon!

    • I’m so glad you shared that Noranda! We tried Babywise and when it didn’t work, I felt like I did something wrong. I’ve just really come to learn and see that you have to do what’s best for your child. No kids are the same!

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